Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-06-23
REC0NslijEBEtt
The President on the Battle Flags
Incident.
he kcconsiders ITS Former orders-1he
Matter TO he Left to Congress
Drum Biamed-How the Incl-
dent Originated.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE following let.
tor was sent 10 the Secretary Of War by
the President yesterday In regard 70 tbs
disposition 0f the flags captured by the
Union forces during the late war;
have to-day considered with more care than
when tho subject was orally presented me the
action OF your Department directing letters 10
he addressed TO the Governors OF oil the States
Offering 70 return, Y nesircd, 70 all the
loyal statss tho Union flags captured
during the war OF the rebellion by
the Confederate forces and Afterwards recov-
cred by Government troops; and TO the
Confederate States the flags captured
by the Union forces, all Of which for many
years have been packed In boxes and stored in
the cellar and attic OF the War Department.
I'm Of the opinion that the return OF the flags in
the manner thus contemplated Is not author
lied by existing law nor justified rs an eSeon-
tive act. request, therefore, that No further
steps be taken in the matter except examine
and inventory the flags aud adopt proper meas
ures for their preservation. Any direction as TO
the final disposition OF them should originate
with Congress. Yours truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND
II seems that the return OF the Confeder-
ate flags was first projected under the Ar
thur administration. They had been used
as exhibits in the museum OF the ordnance
department for many years, but General
Benet observing that they were falling tC
pieces and could not be protected from the
relic hunters, suggested 10 Secretary Lin
coin that they be removed, packed in boxes
and stored away. This was done, but TO
ward the close Of the Arthur administra
tion, Adjutant-G General Drum urged upor
Secretary Lincoln the propriety of return
ing them TO the Southern States and Mr.
/ \ tr.sa uNannNn1
disposition should be made. Congressman
Boutello, OF Maine, becoming apprised o
what was contemplated, notified the Wal
Department authorities that he would pre-
sent resolution OF investigation and In
quiry in the House, demanding TO know
upon what authority these flags were to b
returned without the assent Of Congress
Thereupon the matter was dropped an'
nothing was heard OF II.
For some unexplained reason Genera
Drum had set his heart upon returning
these flags, and little doubt exists
the fact he represented TO the Pre-
| ident that IL was the proper thing to dc
and had been approved by Secretary Lin
coin and that ample law existed 70 wal
rant this action. The President di'
not issue any order TO retur
| the flags and the matter was simpl.
held in abeyance until the prematur
action OF General Drum caused the qucs
lion TO be further considered. IL wa
known at the War Department only yestel
day morning that hitch had occurred a
the White House, and II was whispcre
about copfidentially that the President wa
angered because he believed an attemr
had been made to hoodwink and deceiy
him, and one end Of the War Department
was rather blue.
Nobody is disposed to censure the Pres
dent as to being the originator Of the move
ment, aud the fact that he took prompt az
tion in ordering Secretary EndlcOtt to will
hold the flags, acquiescing in the view tha
Congressional action was necessary IN sue
matters, demonstrates that the matter wa
engineered wholly by subordinates OF ia
War Department.
Innumerablc protests against the retur
OF the flags have been received from Gran
Army posts, Governors Of Northern State
and prominent individuals.